Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

What is Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?

The Immigration Health Surcharge allows foreign migrants in the UK to access most National Health Services (NHS) at no further costs and in the same capacity as ordinary residents. 

The UK’s health surcharge applies to hospital and GP visits, medical examinations, treatments and emergencies. Some of the services not covered include eye tests, dentistry and prescriptions.

Access to the NHS will be granted for the entire duration of your UK visa following full payment for the UK immigration health surcharge. However, if your visa is cancelled at any time, you will no longer be covered, and your immigration health surcharge void; therefore, you will have to pay for any NHS services you use.

After paying your immigration health surcharge, you will not get preferential treatment with the National Health Service and will be assessed the same as British citizens and those with Settled Status.

The NHS Surcharge was introduced in 2015 to combat ‘health tourism’, which is people coming to the UK for medical treatment.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Fee in 2024

The Immigration Health Surcharge generally costs £1,035 per year and is payable upon each applicant’s UK visa application. It is expected that the total immigration health surcharge will be paid for the duration of your visa before you come to the UK.

It is not possible to pay the immigration health surcharge in part. The charge is calculated in six-month blocks and must cover the entire period of your UK stay. Therefore, if you can stay in the UK for 15 months, you must pay for 18 months.

IHS fee for Dependent

A standard Spouse Visa, the applicant would have to pay £1,035 immigration health surcharge. This means £3105 to cover the cost of three years in the UK.

Anybody else on your application, such as dependent children, must also pay the NHS fee. The immigration health surcharge costs £776 per year for child.

IHS fee for Students and Youth Mobility Scheme

There is a discounted fee on health surcharge for students or those on a Youth Mobility Visa of £776 per year.

However, you have to pay full amount £1,035 per year for other work visas. This means a person with one adult and one child on a five-year Skilled Worker visa must pay £9,055 to cover both applicants.

If your application includes part of a year over six months, you will pay for half a year. If your application is more than six months, you will need to pay for the entire year.

There is no immigration health surcharge (IHS) fee if you are staying less than 6 months in the UK.

The immigration health surcharge is indiscriminate and must be paid regardless of nationality. It is non-refundable even if you do not use NHS services for your stay. There are circumstances where you may be able to get your immigration health surcharge refunded. This includes when your visa is refused on administrative review or appeal, but only in some cases of visa refusal.

How long does it take to process the Immigration Health Surcharge?

The Immigration Health Surcharge is processed as part of your visa application. If you do not pay as part of your application, you will receive an email detailing how to pay your calculated surcharge from UK Visas and Immigration. You must pay within 10 working days (if inside the UK) or 7 working days (if outside the UK) of the email date, or your visa application will be refused. You are advised to also check your junk mail. 

How do I make the IHS payment?

The NHS Surcharge must be paid before you submit your application. You must complete the application online and include the reference number provided on your visa application forms or cover letter.

The information you will need to provide includes:

• Details about yourself: name, nationality, passport information;
• Information about your visa: dates applying for, type of visa;
• Course dates if you are a student;

You must also provide these details for each dependent you are applying for. If you are joining someone in the UK who is also on a UK visa, you will need to give them this information as well.

Does the fee have to be paid upfront?

Yes, in most cases, the fee for the duration of your visa must be paid before you arrive in the country on a UK visa. Payment in installments is not possible.

Surcharges for UK visitors and those staying on a visa for less than six months are eligible to pay for any healthcare received on the NHS as applicable, at 150% of the cost.

What is an IHS number?

An IHS number is a unique reference number that is given to you once you pay the IHS. It is a confirmation of your successful payment of the IHS and should be used to complete your immigration application.

How to find your IHS number

Your IHS number will be displayed on the screen when you successfully pay the fee. You will also be sent an email with a record of your number.

It’s important to keep your IHS reference number safe until you have fully completed your visa application.

Is Immigration health surcharge mandatory in UK?

The immigration health surcharge is mandatory for all foreign nationals on a UK visa. Only those with Indefinite Leave to Remain or British citizenship do not pay the surcharge. Instead, their contribution is made as National Insurance, which is automatically taken from their salary if working.

What if I get Private Health Insurance during my stay in the UK?

Your decision to purchase private health insurance or your employer’s inclusion of private health cover does not change the requirement to pay the immigration health surcharge before entering the UK, and the costs are not reduced.

What happens if my UK visa is cancelled?

If your UK visa is cancelled or your employer sponsorship is terminated, you will have 60 days to apply for a different visa or leave the UK. Your Immigration health surcharge remains non-refundable and will be void at the end of the 60 days, at which point you will be considered an overstayer unless you have arranged a visa extension or alternative visa.

Who is exempt from immigration health surcharge?

Some applicants will be exempt but must still register for an IHS reference number. These include:

• Children under 18 who have been taken into state care;
• Relevant civilian employees at NATO or the Australian Department of Defence in the UK (or their dependents)

Several applicants will not need to pay and will not need to apply for a reference number. These include:

• Dependants of members of the UK armed forces;
• Members of another country’s armed forces who are not subject to immigration controls and their dependants;
• Those applying for the EEA Family Permit;
• Those applying to travel to the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands;
• Applicants who are victims of slavery or human trafficking;
• Those covered by the Home Office’s domestic violence concession and their dependants;
• Asylum seekers/refugees.

If you are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain, you will not be required to pay for the NHS surcharge unless you are only granted limited leave.

Those entering on Visitor Visas will not be able to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge and instead will need to pay for health care services at the point of use.

How often do I need to pay?

When you make your IHS payment, you will be paying for every year that you will be in the country. This will be a one-off payment for as long as your visa lasts.

However, you will have to pay again once you renew your visa. This payment will also be for the entire period of your visa.

Considering most applicants only need to extend their visa once, you will usually only need to pay the health surcharge twice.

For those applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain, you will not need to pay the Immigration health surcharge and will be able to access the NHS the same as any other ordinarily resident citizen in the UK.

Contact us if you need help applying.